Exam 3 Study Guide Flashcards
Chapters 10, 12, 14, 18
Ecology
the interaction between organisms and their environment
Community
all populations of organisms living in a defined area
Habitat
the physical place where an organism lives
Niche
the resources an organism uses for survival, growth, and reproduction
What are the two types of niches?
- Fundamental niche
- Realized niche
Fundamental niche
all resources a species is capable of using
Realized niche
all resources a species actually uses in a community
What are the three ways that species can interact?
- Competition
- Predatory-Prey Interactions
- Symbiosis
Limiting resources
resources that have the ability to affect the growth of a population
Include: nutrients, light, space (habitat), oxygen or carbon dioxide, inorganic compounds
Carrying capacity
the maximum number of organisms that any habitat can support
Competition
when organisms must “fight” with one another over a limited resource they both require for survival
What are the two types of competition?
- Intraspecific competition
- Interspecific competition
Intraspecific competition
organisms compete with members of their own species
Interspecific competition
organisms compete with members of other species
What are the two possible outcomes of interspecific competition?
- Principle of competitive exclusion
- Resource partitioning
Principle of competitive exclusion
one individual excludes the other
“two species or populations cannot inhabit the same niche: one will consistently out-compete the other”(NIH)
Resource Partitioning
competing species can coexist if they use the same resource in a different way or at a different time
Symbiosis
one species living in or on another
What are the three types of symbiosis?
- Mutualism
- Commensalism
- Parasitism
Mutualism
both species benefit
Commensalism
one species benefits with no apparent effect on the other
Parasitism
one species benefits and the other is harmed
What are the two types of mutually symbiotic relationships?
- Facultative symbiosis
- Obligate symbiosis
Facultative symbiosis
partners in a symbiotic relationship can live without one another
Obligate symbiosis
partners in a symbiotic relationship cannot survive without the other partner
What are the names of the two partners in a symbiotic relationship (the smaller partner and the larger partner)
- Symbiont (smaller)
- Host (larger)
Symbiont
the smaller partner in a symbiotic relationship
Host
the larger partner in a symbiotic relationship
Predation
Predatory kills prey for food. Prey species adapt to avoid being eaten
Three adaptations of prey species to avoid being eaten
- Warning coloration
- Camouflage
- Mimicry
Ecosystem
all the biotic and abiotic components in a defined area
All ecosystems require a constant _______ of energy.
input
Chemicals and nutrients are _________ within ecosystems.
cycled
Trophic Structure
The route of energy flow through an ecosystem (primary producers –> herbivorous consumers –> carnivorous consumers)
What is the ocean’s main primary producer?
Phytoplankton
True/False: All the energy stored by individuals at one trophic level is available to the next.
FALSE. The energy needs of each individual take up energy that has been consumed or created.
On average, what percentage of energy is transferred to the next level of the food chain?
Approximately 10% (5-20%)
True/False: Food chains rarely extend beyond 4 trophic levels except in the ocean.
TRUE.
Why do food chains rarely extend beyond 4 trophic levels except in the ocean?
More biomass created at the bottom trophic level (primary producers), so the system can support additional secondary consumers.
Gross primary production
total amount of primary production
Net primary production
organic matter remaining after primary producers meet their own needs; the base of the trophic pyramid
Standing stock
the total amount of phytoplankton (the main primary producers) in the water
Benthic Organisms:
live in or near the bottom features of the marine environment
What are the two zones of the benthic zone?
- Intertidal zone
- Subtidal zone
Intertidal Zone
benthic zone located between high and low tide, exposed at least once a day
Subtidal zone
benthic zone below tide level, always submerged
Pelagic organisms
live in the water column
What are the three main subdivisions of the pelagic zone?
- Epipelagic zone
- Mesopelagic zone
- Deep sea zones (bathypelagic, abyssopelagic, hadopelagic)
What are the three main subdivisions of the deep sea zones?
- Bathypelagic Zone
- Abyssopelagic Zone
- Hadopelagic Zone
True/False: Sunlight does NOT penetrate to the deep sea zones?
TRUE
Mesopelagic Zone
from the lower limit of the epipelagic zone to 1000 meters; less sunlight, but some photosynthesis occurs in this zone
Epipelagic zone
from the water’s surface to 100-200 meters; sunlight is available
Carbon
an element required for primary produces to create organic molecules; cycled through an ecosystem
Nitrogen and phosphorous
elements required for primary production; cycled through an ecosystem
True/False: Certain elements or compounds cannot be metabolized or excreted by organisms.
TRUE.
What are the two possible results from organisms consuming elements or compounds that cannot be metabolized or excreted?
- Bioaccumulation
- Biomagnification
Bioaccumulation
elements or compounds that cannot be metabolized or excreted accumulate in and organisms and may reach toxic levels
Biomagnification
effects of bioaccumulated materials are magnified through the food web
Estuary
semi-enclosed area where fresh water and seawater meet and mix
What changes are observed in estuary ecosystems?
Changes in salinity, temperature, air exposure, presence of soft sediments
Estuaries have _____ species diversity. (low or high?)
low
Species diversity
number of species
Estuaries have _____ biomass (low or high)
high
Biomass
total number of living organisms
What are the two types of estuary margins?
- Passive margins
- Active margins
Are estuaries best developed in passive margins or active margins?
Passive margins
Passive margins
areas where the coastal plain is flat and the continental shelf is wide; where estuaries are best developed